Gender Equity and Empowerment (GEE)

Women represent about half the population and are the direct users of the natural resources in rural Nepal. Additionally, there is a significant proportion of marginalized and socially outcast people who are heavily dependent on natural resources for making their livelihood. Recognizing the importance of mainstreaming women, marginalized and socially outcast people in conservation and development efforts,

NTNC aims to empower them and to encourage take part in the decision-making processes to achieve sustainable conservation and development.

Project-wise focus programs:
ACAP
Gender Equity and Empowerment Program (GEEP) focuses on bringing the women, marginalized and socially outcast people in the conservation and development mainstream through the gender empowerment activities to enhance their participation in decision making and program implementation. Activities include enhancing their skills in income generations, providing opportunity for better education, capacity building and exposure tours and operation of daycare centers.

MCAP
Under the GEEP, adult literacy classes are conducted in the different villages of MCA for which women are given priority. In order to empower women, mothers’ groups have been formed and women from different VDCs are provided with various skill development trainings so that they can earn extra income and become financially more independent.

BCC
Women are encouraged to take part in income generating activities. The poorest of the poor women are given wool spinning training and each trainee is provided with spinning wheel. They also receive pig farming training in which each trainee is provided with piglets as seed animals. Women also receive handicraft training, candle making training. Adult literacy classes are conducted in order to teach the local women to read and write in Nepali. In order to empower them, legal advocacy trainings are also conducted so that they are aware of their rights.

BCP
Aiming to enhance the capacity of the local women, sewing and tailoring training program are regularly conducted under women development program. Local women from various ethnic groups benefit from other women development activities such as skill enhancement training, awareness workshops, promotion of women’s health and sanitation, micro-enterprise development and nature conservation.

SCP
In order to empower the women, gender sensitization and advocacy program are organized. Local women receive training on income generating activities which help them to uplift their living standard through economic opportunities. Endowment fund has been established to provide scholarship to school students (especially girl students) belonging to the marginalized groups.